The Multiple Attacker Equation Part 1

The idea of dealing with multiple attackers is an idea that many arts overlook. It is tough to teach, tough to learn, tough to deal with and an abstract concept to write about. But it is probably the single most important thing to learn and one of the most likely scenarios you will encounter in a real world situation (if no the most likely).  When facing multiple attackers it is likely that you will be facing a group or groups of 3 or more so we must start there training, dealing and discussing 3 attackers.

Combat and Chaos...Reality Based Drills Utilizing Chaos Theory

            Chaos theory  (also known as the butterfly effect) is the study of the confluence of seemingly random and unpredictable occurrences that result in a deterministic outcome. So what does that mean? Well, in combative terms it means "shit happens" and from all angles. It means that no matter how much you train and how many rehearsed moves and techniques you do you can never be fully prepared for any given situation that you might encounter. What we can do is incorporate chaos into our training regimen and drills.

The Tactical Short Staff (Jo Staff)...

If you could learn only how to use one weapon, what would that weapon be? Before you answer that question, I want you to think long and hard about a few factors first abundance, second force multiplication ability and thirdly ease of use. Now please take a second and be realistic in your thinking, don't pick the weapon that you like the most or think is the coolest. If you picked the short staff also known as the quarter staff or jo staff then you can pass go and collect your $200.

90 x 90....The 90% Rule For Pressure Testing Your Techniques

90 x 90 is something that I have developed and implemented into my teaching as well as my thought process. I use 90 x 90 when teaching new students or giving seminars, but it is also something I use for myself when pressure testing a technique.  What 90 x 90 means is that a technique should work 90% of the time, and be able to be performed by 90% of the people it is taught too (i.e. you don't have to be Bruce Lee to jam a finger in someones eye or to strike their groin) or  it should work on 90% of attackers. Does this mean that more advanced or complex techniques won't work? Absolutely not it is just a matter of practicing them until you can do them under extreme stress and get them to work 90% of the time on 90% of your attackers....you see 90 x 90! Remember that, simplicity  and ease of use is ideal for stressful situations, we want to use gross motor skills not fine motor skills. Really it goes back to Hicks law which states that fewer choices and  less thinking equates to a faster reaction time, which is  ideal for stressful situations and instant decision making. That's it!!! Simple easy and practical and as always "If You Want To Stay Clean You Gotta Fight Dirty" 






 Real Violence Needs Real Solutions
M.U.C.T       

Know Your Targets

In reality based combatives / martial arts, ones goal is to quickly and effectively stop your attacker or attackers.  We are not trying to score points, a submission or even a knockout. We are looking to incapacitate, we want to do as much damage as necessary as quickly and effectively as possible as to escape, stop the attack, or stop the attack long enough to escape to safety.

Optimally we are looking for economical efficiency in our techniques and approach to training. The best way to achieve this is to know and understand what the most effective targets are. Targets really fall into two categories, Primary and Secondary. Within Primary targets are a sub group that I refer to as "your soft targets".

Fighting From the Flinch...

That's right you read correctly flinch not clinch. Reality based martial arts needs to be just that reality based (no brainer right). Now I want you to think about two things first how do you normally stand and walk and second how do the techniques that you teach or learn start (from what position)? Now let me ask you a question how often do you walk around in a fighting stance? Answer never,

The reality of Knife Defense...

I was a little reluctant to write this as it was similar to an earlier post that I had written but felt compelled after hearing a conversation today about "reality" training and viewing some reality JiuJitsu techniques. Now before I start and as someone who has studied JiuJitsu in the past I DO understand that not all techniques and teachers are equal and WOULD not label anyone style as deficient, it just happened that it was a JiuJitsu instructor teaching and he repeatedly called them jiujitsu techniques. The thing that was blatantly obvious when watching these techniques is that they were empty hand techniques, and NOT designed for a blade defense, as on more than one occasion had it been a real blade the instructor would have slit his own wrists. Again not saying anything bad about the system just the techniques that were being taught. OK now on with the show.

The Secret of Martial Arts!!!!!

Today is a short one but this doesn't need much saying. Lets talk about the "secret" you know the one I am talking about the thing that people look for the first time they walk into a martial arts school, the magic bullet. Well here it is the secret is that there is no secret....the way to become a "Master" is to master the basics. Fancy and flashy do not win fights. It is really a matter of repetitions, practice what will be important and discard all the rest of the crap. Do 1000 punches everyday, 1000 kicks everyday and 1000 blocks everyday, practice your techniques and train your body and mind to be strong and agile. When you can reach this level you will have learned the Secret. Now of course you can not just go out and do all of that non stop and even when you reach your goal you will still continue to improve, remember there are more than one kind of kick, punch and block. So train hard and be ready. Now that you have learned the "secret" share it with someone else.

Remember Real Violence Needs Real Solutions
M.U.C.T

The Tactical Fighting Umbrella....Say What??

Yup you read correctly the tactical fighting umbrella. The umbrella is a long used and oft forgotten self defense item. The umbrella has a long history of being used as a weapon in China (Wong Fei-hung for example was a big proponent of using and umbrella), many styles of Kung Fu actually have umbrella forms and sets in them. But using an umbrella as a weapon is not limited to only China (and Taiwan). The umbrella was also an often used and quite popular self defense  item durning the late Victorian era and early 20th century all over Europe but especially in England, France and America. It was a gentleman's weapon and was used interchangeably with the cane or walking stick. At that point in time the study of fisticuffs (arwrology) and boxing were quite popular as a past time among the higher classes.

How Fit is Fight Fit?

      I really wonder sometimes when I go to a dojo or watch a training of some sort how people think that If they sweat for an hour or two a week that the are in shape, or fight fit. It's amazing how people think that studying martial arts is like a magic pill, that if you step into a dojo 2 hours a week not only are your "trained" but fit enough for a confrontation. And then there are the people who not only don't exercise but then abuse their body as well. So how fit does one have to be to defend themselves and what are some things we can do to be fight fit.